Have you ever noticed that the best con men in the world are under the age of twelve? I was thinking about Tommy when he was younger the other day and thought, if there was such a thing as a juvenile bunco squad, the United States judicial system would be overflowing with bubble blowing criminals, roller skating circles around their defense attorneys.

Let’s take a look at some typical case records mothers have to put up with every day.

I’ve studied liberalism and conservativism. Therefore, I know what liberals and conservatives say they believe. The local, self-anointed mouthpiece for conservatives is Austin Rhodes. Recently, Rhodes came out in support of gay marriage. Like a gecko, he changed his color. He lost his conservative street cred.

The governor wants to create an “Opportunity School District” that would take over schools defined as “failing” – those that for three consecutive years have scored less than 60 on the College and Career Performance Index (CCRPI), a report card for public schools.

The state takeover would be limited to 20 schools per year, with the Opportunity School District capped at 100 schools. The statewide district and its superintendent could seize control of a school, convert it to a charter school, or even shut it down completely.

Three young adults – Deah Shaddy Barakat, 23; Yusor Mohammad, 21; and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19 – were gunned down in an act of fury by a man, who authorities identified as a neighbor, Craig Stephen Hicks.

Police have said that the killings are the culmination of a long-running dispute between neighbors over parking at the apartment complex.

My favorite Valentine's Day to rehash is the amorous one between my middle son and the girl who knew not of his affection.

Because he’d interrupted me eating chocolate chips in the pantry on more than one occasion just to tattle on a sibling, he knew that chocolate puts a girl in the right frame of mind for getting blindsided by inconvenient information.

He bought a heart-shaped box of chocolates to present to his third- grade love interest at recess along with a confession of his feelings.

Do we? Do we operate in fidelity; are we devoted and loyal to ‘Old Glory’? What about when we see it burned, stomped on, wadded up when being taken down from a flag pole?

And to the Republic for which it stands … a form of government where supreme power resides with citizens entitled to vote for representatives who are responsible to them and govern according to law. Benjamin Franklin said, “We’ve given you a Republic if you can keep it.” Are we keeping it?